Wayne C. Bartholomy

Wayne L. Bartholomy, age 93, died peacefully at home with family on Sunday Mar. 20. Wayne was born in Youngstown, Ohio on Dec. 31 1917. He was brought to Fort Wayne the next year to live with his grandmother, following the death of his mother. At the age of 12, he was sent to an orphanage in New York State. He returned to Fort Wayne after high school and worked at Lincoln Life Ins. Co., where he met the love of his life, Patty. They were married at Cathedral on December 30, 1939. They had 67 years of amazing grace together, seven children, twenty grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Wayne worked at Fort Wayne Filtration Plant, drove a taxi and owned and operated the Burger Bar Restaurant. At age 50 he started a new career at the Better Business Bureau as head of sales and marketing. He was subsequently named President and served until his retirement at the age of 67. Wayne & Patty attended mass daily, traveled extensively, volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul Society and served as a Eucharistic minister. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and served Mass at McDougal Chapel. He enjoyed being with Patty, “going to the lake”, playing bridge, golf, poker, bowling and eating Ice Cream. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife Patty, his sister Carroll Mettler, grandaughter Rose and great-grandaughter Ellasyn Marie. He is survived by his sons, Patrick (Anne), Gulfport, MS, David (Suzie), Owensboro, KY, Mark (Rebecca) , Hawi, HI, Tom (Durenda), Charlotte, NC and daughters Ann (Steve) Gillig, Fort Wayne, IN, Jane, Santa Rosa, CA, Paula (Beth), Whitethorn, CA, nineteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00am Thursday, Mar. 24 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1122 South Clinton St., with calling one hour before mass. Msgr. Robert Schulte officiating. Calling also from 2:00-7:00pm Wednesday at Wayne’s home, 3430 Kirkland Ave., Ft. Wayne. Internment at Catholic Cemetery. Preferred memorials to St. Vincent DePaul Society at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Allen County Right to Life, or Matthew 25, in lieu of flowers. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all Wayne’s caregivers and Southern Care Hospice for their love and support. Arrangements by Klaehn, Fahl and Melton Funeral Home, Wayne St. Chapel. www.klaehnfahlmelton.com